KANSAS CITY, Kan. - After finishing last season ranked 25th nationally in the final poll, the Anderson men's soccer team will begin the 2012 campaign one notch higher, as AU is ranked 24th in the NSCAA/Continental Tire Division II National Top 25 Poll released by the National Soccer Coaches Association late Tuesday afternoon.
"We are always pleased to be recognized on a national level," said Anderson head coach John Murphy. "The 2011 team had a great year and this year's team is reaping some of the benefits. A very high standard has been set and this reinforces how far AU men's soccer has come in the last couple of years."
Anderson will be looking for its fifth consecutive winning season and fourth straight trip to the NCAA Tournament in 2012.
The Trojans posted a school-record 11-match win streak en route to climbing as high as sixth in the polls last season and went on to set a school record with 17 wins. AU made its third consecutive NCAA Tournament appearance after claiming their second straight conference tournament crown and also captured the regular-season SAC title with a perfect 9-0 league record.
AU opens the regular season on Sept. 1 at UNC Pembroke.
The first regional and national polls of the regular season are slated to be released on Tuesday, Sept. 4.
